I’ve written about the benefits of occasionally working outside, and recently, I have been thinking about it again. It’s probably because I haven’t gone out to work in a while.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but you probably work at a coffee shop (as opposed to a restaurant or pub) when you don’t work at home.

What I’d like to share with you today is what to bring when you work at a coffee shop. It may seem like a no-brainer, but there may be some things that you haven’t thought of. Based on my experience, here are some things to do/prepare before you go to work at a coffee shop.

Have a special bag to carry your mobile office.

Having a dedicated bag for your mobile office, as I like to call it, serves two purposes.

One, you do not have to dig around your regular bag for your laptop, charger, and other things you need for work. Your personal items like your wallet stay in your regular bag. Things are more organized and easier for you.

Two, your devices are more protected. There are bags that have compartments that offer protection for laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and other electronic devices.

Always bring a power strip.

I used to laugh at this idea – until I struggled with finding an available socket. When that happened, I got a small power strip (2-3 sockets) that I use when working at a coffee shop.

The brilliant thing about having this strip is that when there is a lack of wall sockets, you can easily ask the other people near you if you can plug the strip and then offer to share sockets with them. If you’re lucky, then you might even make friends, contacts, or potential clients.

Bring earphones.

Earphones may not be essential for some writers, but in my case, I am more productive when I am isolated from the noise around me. Sometimes, even writers who do not really care about the buzz of chatter in a coffee shop may get distracted by unusually loud customers. That’s when earphones come in handy.

Don’t forget old-school tools.

A notebook. Pens. Business cards (if you have them).

You never know when you might need them, and as they say, better safe than sorry.

We all have bad days. You feel like you’ve run a marathon when you wake up. The kids don’t cooperate, and they’re late for school. The computer doesn’t work, or the Internet goes down. An ongoing personal problem suddenly weighs heavier on you than usual.

The list can go on and on.

As freelancers – especially seasoned ones – we learn how to deal with these bad days, and usually, we can hack away at the vines that make the day bad.

But what about those days that are particular awful? Those days when you really feel that you just want to disappear into thin air and forget about it all?

Here are some things you can do when you’re having a particularly bad day – at least enough to get you working. I hope they help.

Remind yourself why you became a freelancer.

Whether you used to have a day job, or you stayed at home to take care of the kids and then decided to be a freelancer, there was a reason you made that jump. I cannot say what your reason was, but for me, it was always my dream to be free of sitting behind a desk all day, having to file for a day off way in advance without the guarantee of approval, and being in a formal environment.

When I have a bad day, I think of this over and over again. Usually, it gives me enough of a boost to start working.

Think of the financial repercussions.

This may sound harsh and greedy, but it’s a practical thing to do. You work not only because you enjoy it, but let’s be honest, you work because you need the money. You have to pay the bills, send the kids to school, buy food, and take care of all your living expenses.

You may be having a bad day, but if you’re the type who takes financial responsibilities more seriously than others, then this may light a fire under your bum. You may not exactly be the most cheerful person in the world that day, but at least you get your work done.

Think of your work/personal ethic.

If you take pride in your work ethic – and I am pretty sure you do – then thinking about this will help you deal with a bad day. Think of your happy clients who have praised your work and thanked you for being a good writer. Think of the sense of accomplishment that accompanies every great piece you write and publish/submit on time.

Reminding myself of this gives me a better attitude to face the day.

Complete the most important tasks.

Again, let’s be brutally honest. All of the above usually works to get tasks done, but there really are days when you know you can’t deliver everything you have to. Those days when you know you will crash at some point.

Pro tip: Do the most important tasks. Work on the pieces that are truly essential. If needed, let your client know your situation (details depend on your relationship), and then give yourself a break. You don’t always have to force yourself to perform at 100 percent when you’re having a bad day.

Let the ‘mood’ run its course.

I am using ‘mood’ in the loosest sense of the word. Whatever it is that is making your day horrible or weighing heavily on you, sometimes, you just can’t shake it off.

It’s easy for others to say ‘mind over matter’ and a host of other cliches that are supposed to be motivational. I’m not going to tell you that because when you’re in the midst of a crisis, it’s a totally different story.

In this case, when you really can’t get up, just crash. Allow yourself to go through the day (or maybe several hours) to feel the negative emotions. Let the storm wash over you, and at some point, you’ll feel better and get up again.

I do hope that you are not having one of those particularly bad days, but if you are, try doing the things above, and remember, you are not alone.

Everyone knows that those who have chosen blogging careers working at home is the ideal setup. You get to work whenever you want, wherever you want. You have all the freedom in the world, and you don’t have to shower and dress up first thing in the morning.

Riiight.

Whether you’re rather new to working at home or you’ve been doing it for a while, you know that while there is some truth to those ideas, working at home isn’t all sugar and spice.

There is always the temptation to procrastinate, which is not made easier by the plethora of distractions present at home as opposed to a real office.

One piece of advice that every work at home person receives is to create a space dedicated to work. This we all know to be true.

But how do you do that?

It’s easy enough to say, but in reality, some of us may not have the luxury of a study, like the ones we see on TV or in the movies. Fortunately, we can make a working space out of what we have – whether it’s a corner in the living room or the guest bedroom.

If you need a little inspiration on how to create your home office when you don’t have a lot of space, take a look at this infographic. It gives you ideas on how to transform different places in your home to a working space. More than picking the space, it also gives you tips on tools and equipment to ensure maximum productivity.

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” – Douglas Adams

Every writer knows this quote and has probably said/written it more than once. In reality, however, that whooshing noise is not so pleasant. It’s the stuff writers’ nightmares are made of. Especially when a client is inflexible when it comes to deadlines.

One observation about writers that I have heard so many times is that we like to procrastinate. It is such a sweeping statement and can be taken the wrong way.

However, I have to admit that with all the distractions surrounding us, there are times when we do procrastinate – perhaps more than we want to. [Read more…]

Editor’s note: This post was written by Rachel MacDonald, a travel and lifestyle writer with over 7 years of experience navigating the ups and downs of freelance life.

Does it feel like someone’s hit the pause button on your freelance career? Are you finding it hard to secure new clients? Or are you thinking of taking your career to the next level by writing a book? There’s a veritable smorgasbord of DIY writing tools and helpful communities online, but sometimes it helps to speak to a real, live person who’s successfully achieved the career goals that you’re aiming for.

Many professional writers turn to writing coaches or mentors at some point in their career, whether it’s for advice or a general motivational kick in the pants.

But coaching doesn’t come cheap. When do the results justify the cost of a writing mentor, and how do you know if this approach is right for you?

Reasons to hire a coach

In a group writing class, you may have to spend time working on areas that you already consider strengths and skip over areas that might be weaknesses. A mentoring session provides one-on-one instruction, giving you focussed attention on the areas you need help with most. In many ways, a writing mentor serves many of the same purposes as any career coach, in that they help you present yourself in the best possible way. This could include giving you the confidence you need to send out effective pitches, which could lead to more work in the future. A good coach gives you the tools you need to handle challenges in your writing career, and overcome roadblocks with actionable goals. They can give you a fresh pair of objective eyes for your work, giving insight into the viewpoint of the editors and clients you’re trying to impress.

Assess the cost

Just as writers charge a wide range of fees for their services, so do mentors. The cost will depend on a coach’s experience, as well as the type of experience you’re in need of. For a general phone consultation, you won’t be too far out of pocket. However, in-depth coaching over a longer term period could cost anything from a few hundred dollars a month to upwards of $10,000. At this level, it’s vital to think about how much you expect to earn and whether you can fit this cost into your business budget. Don’t forget that there are numerous resources online available for free as you’re just starting out – a coach is really to take you to the top of your game.

Find the right fit

The cost is just one facet of coaching to think about. It’s important to sit down and define your goals as a writer before you even start the process of looking for a mentor, because this allows you to find the right fit for your needs. It’s best to look for a mentor who has already achieved the goals you’re setting for yourself. Look for a mentor or coach who is experienced in your particular writing niche, whether it’s food writing, historical fiction, or digital marketing.

The next step is to check this person’s credentials carefully. The last thing you want is a mentor who has embellished his or her resume in a bid to make a money off of gullible newbie writers. Read each mentor’s work to get a feel for their writing styles, and determine whether this might mesh well with your own. Ask for client references and testimonials, and follow up with these. Writing coaches should be happy to answer any questions you might have via a phone, email, or in-person interview before you hire them.

Not every writer needs a coach, but when you’re feeling stuck and need guidance to bring your A-game this can be a worthy investment. Just be sure to explore all your options carefully to find a coach who not only fits within your budget, but understands what you’re trying to achieve and has the experience to back up their advice

Writing for a living is not as easy as others would think, is it? Whether you’re writing your novel, or you’re writing articles and blog posts for clients, there are periods when you just can’t seem to focus.

There are those times, however, when you get in the writing zone, and you seem to be a lean mean writing machine. Thank the muses!

Unfortunately, getting in the writing zone is not always as simple as opening the door and entering your home office. On the flipside, there are things you can do to help get in the writing zone. [Read more…]

How to motivate yourself

Use the carrot on a stick principle.

You all know the story about the donkey and the carrot dangling in front of him. Do the same with yourself when you’re feeling demotivated.

What can you use as a carrot?

Anything you know you’ll look forward to:

getting paid

soaking in the tub after you finish X articles

taking a day off once you finish a project.

Set smaller goals.

If you’ve got a huge project, you might be demotivated because there is so much to do that you feel overwhelmed. If this is the case, break things down.

Instead of always thinking of finishing the entire project (and the deadline), make smaller goals for each day. This way, you can focus on each task better, get things done faster, and feel a sense of achievement every day.

Take advantage of (de)motivational posters.

Motivational posters and funny (de)motivational ones can do you a lot of good. If you prefer serious, then get posters with quotes that will encourage you.

If a dose of humor does it for you, then look for posters like these.

Get a bunch of them, so you can hang up different types on your wall whenever you feel like it. Alternatively, use them as desktop wallpapers.

Did you know that America is the 5th most workaholic country in the world? This was the result of a study back in 2011, where it was revealed that only 57 percent of people use all their vacation days. This number is probably lower by this time.

Workaholism, however, is not limited to those who hold desk jobs. In fact, workaholism might be a bigger problem for freelancers. Since we are responsible for all our work, accountable only to ourselves (and our clients), there is always work to be done. Sometimes, it is difficult to delineate “real life” from work.

There are even freelancers who seem to be proud that they work longer hours than most. Should you be proud to be one of those?

Definitely not.

While being proud of being a workaholic may seem a good thing – you’re a hard worker, you’re responsible, etc., working too much can destroy you in more ways than one.

Even if you don’t end up facing divorce, being “married” to your work will alienate you from your partner, friends, and other family members. When you find yourself thinking about and prioritizing work all the time, ask yourself this: “Is it worth it?”.

It negatively affects your health.

In Japan, there is such a thing called karoshi, which literally means death from overwork. If this happens in Japan, where many people take only five days of vacation a year, it could very well happen to you if you constantly take on more clients and just keep working like the Energizer bunny – and also die at some point when the energy runs out.

Following a more moderate mode of thinking, overworking can still affect your health negatively. Stress increases your blood pressure, gives you headaches, and gives rise to other health issues. If you work long hours, you might not get enough sleep. The list goes on and on…

It negatively affects your work.

You think being a workaholic is an achievement? You think it’s something to be proud of? It might be glorified in many circles, but if you take a close look – a really close look – at the quality of the work you are doing, can you honestly say that everything that you write, edit, and publish shows just how good you are? Can you unequivocally say that you are proud of everything that you’ve written?

You might be the best writer you know, but if you’ve worked long hours for as long as you can remember, the quality of your articles, blog posts, white papers, or whatever you’re writing is probably suffering. Be honest with yourself.

Everyone needs a break.

Bottom line: we’re not machines. Humans that we are, we need a break.

Robots may have replaced humans in certain sectors, but artificial intelligence has not reached the point wherein robots can replace writers. (We can only hope that we won’t be replaced that way!)

Being a hard worker is great. Being a workaholic is something else.

Why not take time to analyze your situation and find out “what you are”? You’ll be doing yourself a favor.

Editor’s note: Haley Osborne is a freelance writer and contributing blogger at EssayTigers.com. Writing is her job and hobby, so she investigates the ways to improve writing skills, follows latest blogging trends and shares expert writing tips. You can find and follow her on Twitter.

Writing is both a craft and a curse. Writers are well known for celebrating their work and, at the same time, lamenting how rigorous it can be. For every comment or quote about the frustration and pain writing brings, there are a dozen more about the joy it brings, the relief and, above all else, the incessant need to continue. As a result, there are numerous essays and quotes about writing expressing controversial ideas and points of views. Why do writers write for writers and about writing? Does writing about writing make any sense? And what is most important – does writing about writing help to improve your writing?

“If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood.” (Peter Handke)

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” (Ernest Hemingway)

When writers write about their daily routine, their understanding of talent and the profession of writing, they are consciously or subconsciously trying to show society the importance of their mission. They have the need to be appreciated and estimated as representatives of any other crafts and professions.

Who can understand writers better than the writers themselves? And who can explain better the importance and the hardships of the writer’s work than those who are actually struggling through these tasks every day? So, by writing about writing, the authors give other people a glimpse of the creative process. They also show potential writers what they should expect if they want to dedicate themselves to writing.

Sharing Writing Motivation

“Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it’s the answer to everything. … It’s the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower out of life, even if it’s a cactus.” (Enid Bagnold)

It is the writer who might catch the imagination of young people, and plant a seed that will flower and come to fruition. (Isaac Asimov)

Writers share the reasons they write and what makes a real writer with fellow writers and those just beginning to break into the game. Thus, writers want to explain their desire to write, or inability to stop writing. Books and essays on the craft of writing help those who read them find their feet, but they also help authors to take the time and examine their own work, find their own motivations, and become more confident of their aims.

Giving Advice on Writing Progress

“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.” (Philip Roth)

“Keep a small can of WD-40 on your desk … to remind yourself that if you don’t write daily, you will get rusty.” (George Singleton)

“Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.” (Larry L. King)

Writers with experience are more than aware of the challenges their fellow writers face when it comes to the creative process, organizing their work and thoughts, and finding inspiration. Ask any successful writer about their writer’s routine and they’re bound to mention free writing, brainstorming, literary doodling or some other euphemism for just ‘messing around’. It’s the same kind of work artists do when they sketch out new ideas – a way to clear the cobwebs from their brains and get those creative juices flowing.

Writers themselves often hang on to these early morning free writing records or notebooks with random scribbles or bolts of inspiration as a way to review their thoughts, organize ideas and simply exercise their minds and flex their creative muscles. Sooner or later, each writer comes up with some tips that are helpful for them to overcome writing challenges and raise productivity. Though such tips depend on the individual and can’t work for everyone, writers are willing to share them as valuable wisdom that might help fellow writers deal with the difficult craft.

Expressing the Writing Emotions

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” (George Orwell)

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” (Ernest Hemingway)

Anyone who says writing is easy isn’t doing it right.” (Amy Joy)

Writing is not a smooth process, and the creative, sensitive souls of writers experience the complications even more painfully. One book can cause a storm of indignation, irritation, drama and heartbreaking despair. Writers are usually never completely satisfied with the results. No matter how many articles, books, novels, short stories, screenplays or other works one produces, no writer ever feels done and it sets off a cycle of grousing about the writing process that, in fact, is the only thing that brings them joy.

Honing Writing Skills by Reflection

It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous. (Robert Benchley)

“The most beautiful things are those that madness prompts and reason writes.” (Andre Gide)

“I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story.” (Tom Clancy)

Examining the writing life is about examining the foundation and the work, aside from and independent of any final products. It’s an attempt to focus on the journey as opposed to the destination. When authors turn their attention to the craft of writing, the focus is almost always on the grunt work involved – the brainstorming, the pounding of keys and the endless revisions, edits and cuts that come with the territory. Simply put, writing isn’t an easy vocation to have and authors who embrace the pain and difficulty of the process are able to produce their best work.

Examining the writing life isn’t easy, especially when writers themselves put the craft under the microscope. Dissecting what they do and attempting to explain the methods behind their madness is difficult at best. Still, authors turn their attention to their craft and vocation to encourage other writers overcome challenges and develop their writing talent.

Final Line

“Writers live twice.” (Natalie Goldberg)

As writers craft their stories, it’s impossible for them to avoid thinking and writing about the work itself. Authors who’ve run the gamut from classic literature to pop-culture masters have given their proverbial two cents on the craft of writing and each one has offered new insight into writers’ routines, habits, and rituals. For some, it is the way to help other writers find their way but for the majority, it’s about living the examined life in the hopes that by taking a closer look at what they do, they can improve it. Writing about writing is not about self-indulgence. Writers share their stories, techniques, and rituals as a way to show others it’s not an easy craft, but it’s worth the trouble, doubts and throes of creation.

Working from home was my dream job, and it still is. I am living my dream, and it allows me to earn a decent living. It’s not always easy, but it’s even better than I had expected.

Then recently, it was brought to my attention that I haven’t been taking care of myself the way I used to. It took me a while to accept and understand that, but here I am writing about work at home writers taking care of themselves.

I’m writing this post for two reasons:

to ask what you do to take care of yourself so we can all learn from your experiences;

as a reality check for those who, like me, forget.

How can freelance writers take care of themselves

Having healthy eating habits

I used to be really bad with this as I would get so caught up in work that I would forget to eat proper meals during the day. If I did eat, it would usually be in front of the computer. I’d usually make up for it at night, when I went out with friends. That meant lots of greasy food and drinks.

Since I got really sick about 2 years ago with acute pancreatitis, and I had to stay in the hospital for more than a week, my eating habits have changed. I learned, the hard way, that taking a break and eating properly is worth more than ‘getting more work done’.

Getting exercise

If you remember, three weeks ago, I shared that I made a promise to myself that I would go out and walk at least twice a day. This was something I always said I’d do, but never got to do because I always had more work to do.

I’m happy to share that I’m actually doing it, and I feel better.

It’s just not about losing weight or being fit. It’s also about getting out of the house and physically distancing yourself from work, which can result in a better mindset when you get back to your computer.

Pampering yourself

We all have our own ways of pampering ourselves. I like getting a massage and getting my nails done. I also like to do a little bit of shopping for special items now and then. What I like most is to travel.

These things can be seen as rewards for meeting deadlines, doing a good job, and so on. The more important thing is that you feel rejuvenated after treating yourself.

Interacting with people in ‘real-life’

This is my biggest challenge. I am perfectly happy to stay at home and just chat, text, or call. My reasoning is that I don’t need as much social interaction as other people do. And this is true.

There are some negative effects of not meeting people face to face for a long period of time, though. Over the years, I’ve ‘met’ several work at home writers who have had problems with depression, needing clinical treatment even.

While other factors may have played a role in those cases, one thing about depression is the default reaction is to withdraw even more. One becomes more averse to social interaction.

That being said, studies have shown that doing the opposite – meeting friends and family – actually helps ease depressive feelings.

If you’re feeling disconnected and feeling down a lot lately, ask yourself this: “When was the last time I met with a friend face to face?

If it’s been months, then maybe it’s time to try. At least try. It won’t kill you.

Your turn

So, FWJ folks, have you been taking care of yourselves? In what manner? Maybe you can relate to the things I shared above and are struggling with them. Would you like to share in the comments ? Maybe we can help each other out.